RUMFORD — A local man was charged Saturday morning with stealing medical supplies from Rumford Hospital.

Steven L. Mortimer, 47, was arrested after police found items, including bed pads, a diaper, buckets, booty socks, a magazine and a box of rubber gloves in a bag in his vehicle.

Mortimer was charged with felony theft, criminal mischief and operating after suspension. He was released on personal recognizance bail Monday afternoon. 

According to an arrest report, Rumford police Sgt. Tracey Higley was called to the hospital after staff reported a man had transported Eleanor G. Veneau, 44, to the hospital for treatment. A hospital visitor and staff witnessed Mortimer rummaging through cabinets and drawers in the emergency room, then leaving the hospital with a bag, Higley said in his report.

Hospital staff also discovered an emergency supply cart with a broken lock and told Higley it was unbroken before Mortimer arrived at the hospital. 

Mortimer and Veneau were still in the hospital waiting room when Higley arrived.

According to the report, Mortimer initially denied stealing items, then admitted to taking the buckets to use at home and agreed to allow Higley to search his vehicle. The officer discovered a white patient bag containing medical supplies.  

Veneau told Higley that Mortimer had taken the supplies but she was unaware they were doing anything wrong, the police report said. Hospital staff told Higley the supplies were not the type the hospital sent home with patients for personal use.

Mortimer is expected to appear in Oxford County Superior Court on March 3. 

pmcquire@sunjournal.com

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